Sheet feeding apparatus



Jan. 26, 1960 A. BUTTNER 2,922,647

SHEET FEEDING APPARATUS Filed March 25. 1958 3 Sheets-Sheet l Jan. 26, 1960 A. BUTTNER 2,922,647

SHEET FEEDING APPARATUS Filed March 25, 1958 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 Jan. 26, 1960 A. BUTTNER SHEET FEEDING APPARATUS 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed March 25, 1958 United States patent SHEET FEEDING APPARATUS Artur Biittner, Heidelberg, Germany, assignor-to Selmellpressenfabrik Aktiengesellschaft Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany, a corporation of Germany The present invention relates to automatic sheet feeding apparatus and more particularly to reloading'apparatus for sheet feeders. As the invention is particular- 1y applicable to feeding sheets of paper to a printing press, it will be described in conjunction with an embodiment for that purpose, but it will be understood that the invention is applicable to other sheet handling. apparatus.

The invention relates to sheet-feeding apparatus of the kind in which a stack of sheets is supported by a vertically movable table. another from the topof the stack by suitable suction devices, as for example, a sucker bar or other mechanism, the table supporting the stack is moved progressively vupwardly so as: to keep the top of the stack at a substantially constant level. When one stack of sheets is exhausted a new stack must be supplied. In order to save change-over time, it is desirable to have a new stack of sheets preformed or pre-stacked so that it can be quickly and easily made available to the sheet-feeding mechanism.

Known sheet-feeding apparatus of the above type are provided witha plurality of tables or platforms for supporting stacks of sheets. One of such tables is. supported by a pair of opposite spaced carriers which are movable vertically, for example by threaded spindles and the like. The table is connected to the carriers in an easily detachablemanner by coupling means, operable either automatically or manually such as latch bolts. When a table supported by the carriers is being raised a second table is. prepared by pre-stacking sheets on it. When the table supportedby the carriers approaches the limit of its upward movement, i.e. whenthe stack of sheets on it is nearly depleted the'second table carrying a new stack of sheets ispositioned in the empty space directly beneath the: table on the carriers. Once the first table becomes empty, it isremoved from thecarriers. thereupon lowered to the levelof the second table which is: connected to the carriers inlike manner. Sheets are then fed from the stack on the second tab-1e which is raised progressively by the carriers so-as to keep the top of the stack at the same level. Successive stacks of sheets are introduced into the machine one after another in like manner, the cycle of operations being repeated. By thus pre-stackingthe sheets loss of time is avoided and the without first disassembling the table and then once inplace assembling it this results in a substantial loss of time. Moreover if the guides are disposed on-thetable As the sheets are removed one after The carriers are or platform they extend vertically upwardly the'nfthe' sec'on'dtable cannot be placed in the sheet-feeding apparatus until the table on the carriers has just'about' reached its upper travel and this requires pre-stacking on the second table in a location other than its operative positiofias heretofore indicated. In the event that the lateral guides are adjustably spaced to' allow the second table to pass therebetwee'n a table'or platform for'e'ach size sheet must be provided which greatly increases the cost of the sheet-feeding apparatus.

It is a principal object of the present invention to pro-' vide a reloading apparatusfor' sheet-feeding apparatus of the above mentioned type withouttlie'liniitations of known apparatus indicated above; I

Another object is to provide a reloading apparatus for sheet-feeders greatly increasing the productive operating time or a printing press and the like on which thesheet feeder is employed or being used.

Still anotherobject is to provide a reloading apparatus for a sheefifeeder in which the tables or platforms are all alike and are capable of handling different sizes of sheets, cards and the" like. 7

In accordance with the present invention the reloading. apparatus is provided with like tables having oppositely disposedrecesses on opposite sides thereof in which are disposed opposite spaced guides, adjustably pre set in fixed spaced positions, for laterally guiding the stack of sheets on the tableduring its entire'upward travel. The guides'each havea' lower'end portion adapted to be temporarily moved from an extended operative position to a raised position sothat a'second table'can bereadily placed in the space beneath a table supported on the'carriers of the sheet feeder. Sheets can be pre-stacked on the second table while the stack on the feeder is being exhausted thus eliminating any down timefor reloading.

The nature, other objects and advantages will be more fully understood from the following description and. claims in conjunction with the accompanying, drawings in which: V

Fig. 1 is a rear elevationyiew'jofa she' et feeding'apparatus in accordance with the invention, the apparatus, is shown with'the lower end'portionsofth'e lateralguides'" in a raised position'for'allo'wing' the-second table'to be placed in the space beneath-thetableori the carriers;

Fig. 2 is a view of the apparatusfshown inFig. 1 with the lower end portions of the lateral guides in an e16 tended operative position for guiding sheets magmastacked on the second table as the" stack on the upper tableis being exhausted.

'Fig; 3 'is a plan view of theapparatus shown in'Figs,.'- 1andj2.

Fig. 4 isafragmentary view on anenl'arg'ed scale of'a lateral guide showing the lower end portion thereof." I

Fig.-'5 is a side view'of the lower'endportion of; tli'e" sheet guide in Fig. 4illustrating'themanner in which the end portion is movable from an'exten'd'ed' operative position to a raised position according tothe invention.

Fig. 6 isa fragmentary view on an'enlarged scaleof a lateral guide illustrating a second emb'odirnentof the lower end portion according to the invention. Fig.7 is a side view of the guide lower end portion in Fig. 6. V

Fig. 8 is a sectional view' of the guide lower end por tionin-Figs. 6 and'7. g

The sheet-feeding apparatus illustrated in the drawings}: supports a stack of sheets 1 on a vertically movable table 2. The sheets of paper, or other material, aresuc'cessive; 1y removed from the top of thestack 1 in known man ner, for example by a suction bar, not shown and are fed to the operation in which they. are used. The table." 2 is provided with' oppositely disposedslo ts fi ;and;4 erg;

tending inwardly of the table as shown and disposed on opposite sides of the table near one end thereof. The feeding stack is guided in the usual way by means of front stops 5 which are fixed to the sheet-feeding apparatus. A pair of spaced lateral or side guides or gauges 6, '7 are disposed in the slots or recesses Sand 4 respectively and are displaceably mounted on operating rods 8, 9 which are displaceable in an axial direction and can be locked in a fixed position by the locking bushings 10 and 11 in which they are respectively rotatably mounted and supported on side walls 11, 12 of the sheet feeding apparatus. These side walls are part of the framework of the machine, as for example a printing press, in which the sheetfeeder is mounted. In this manner the side guides 6 and 7 can be adjustably pre-set for the size sheets or cards stacked on the table 2.

In Figs. 1 and 2 the first table 2 is shown mounted on the sheet-feed according to the invention and bears a residual stack of sheets 1. A second table 14 is disposed between the members 12 and 13 resting on a transverse member 15 and support members 16, 17 fixed on the frame members 12 and 13. The feed table 14 is allowed to clear the side guides 6, 7 in a manner later herein described.

The table 2 is progressively raised and selectively lowered by a mechanism for successively receiving and lifting the tables individually with a stack of sheets thereon. The mechanism is mounted on bearings 18, 19, 20, 21 and comprises a pair of driven threaded spindles 22, 23 rotatably mounted on these bearings. The spindles are rotatively driven by gears 31, 32 and means, not shown, to progressively raise carriers 24, 25 supporting the table 2 therebetween to continuously maintain the table in position for the top sheet of the stackto bein a predetermined position for a sheet-taking device. The spindles 22, 23 are rotatively driven in a direction for lowering the carriers 24, 25 to automatically engage the table 14 and lift it. It being understood that the carriers are lowered once the stack of sheets on table 2 are exhausted and the carriers are provided with retractable latch bolts,

in known manner as shown, releasably engaging thetable 14 after the table 2 has been removed therefromwhen the sheets thereon are exhausted. 4

In order to position the table 14 in the position shown in Fig. 2 and pre-stack sheets thereon, as shown, while the table 2 is progressively raised provision is made for allowing the table 14 to be positioned in the space below table 2 without interference of the side guides 6, 7. Accordingly each side guide 6, 7 is provided with a lower end portion 26, 27 respectively which can be positioned in an extended position, in the manner shown in Fig. 2,

for providing continuous guiding of the stack of sheets during the entire upward travel of each individual table. The lower end portions 26, 27 of the side guides 6,7 are each pivotally mounted (Figs. 4 and 5) on a pin 28 .extending through a projection 30 of the upper portion of the guides and a spring loaded bolt or catch 29, is provided for engaging, in known manner, recesses in projection 30 both when in an extended position and in a raised position substantially normal to the guide so as to-releasably lock the end portions in either position. 7 Accordingly the end portions 26, 27 can be temporarily placed in a raised position in the manner shown in Fig.

1 so that the table 14 can be easily positioned in the same space beneath table 2 and then the ends are swung to a lowered or extended position as shown in Fig. 2 thereby allowing pre-stack-ing as the table 2 is progres sively raised and the stack of sheets thereonprogressively "be constructed each with thegstationary upper portion having a part 35 thereof dovetailed as shown with lower end portions 33, 34 slidable thereorn. A screw or pin 38 mounted on part 35 and disposed in a slot 39 of each lower end portion acts as a stop when the portions 33, 34 are raised. The lower end portions are frictionally held in a raised position while table 2 is inserted into the re loading apparatus and then are manually lowered; thus allowing the second feed table 14 to be readily inserted in the apparatus up against the front stops 5 as indicated heretofore.

While preferred embodiments of the invention have been illustrated and described, it will be understood that the invention is in no way limited to these embodiments and that many changes may be made within the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the following claims.

What I claim and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

l. A reloading apparatus for sheet feeders comprising the combination of a plurality of like feed tables, a lifting and lowering mechanism comprising oppositely disposed table carriers for successively receiving and lifting the.

tables individually each with a stack of sheets thereon, said mechanism including means to progressively raise the table carriers to continuously maintain the table in position for the top sheet of a stack of sheets thereon to be in a predetermined position for a sheet-taking device, said last mentioned means being operable to selectively lower the table carriers to reload the sheet feeding apparatus with a second table having a new stack of sheets a after removal of an emptied table from the carriers upon exhausting the stack of sheets thereon, a pair of spaced adjustably pre-set vertically extending laterahgurdes for guiding the stacks of sheets during their entire upward travel and having guide surfaces spaced apart as a whole so as to be incapable of passing a table therebetween, each table having oppositely disposed recesses on opposite sides thereof in which said guides are disposed, and said. guides each having a lower end portion movable temporarily from an operative position in which the,

lower end portion is extended in alignment with an upper portion to a raised position to allow suflicient clearance for placement of the second table directly below the table being raised so that sheets can be pre-stacked thereon while the stack on the table being raised is being exhausted and the second table is in a position to be autothereon to be in a predetermined position for a sheettaking device, said last mentioned means being operable to selectively lower the table carriers to reload the sheet feeding apparatus with a second table having a new stack of sheets after removal of an emptied table from the carriers upon exhausting the stack of sheets thereon, a pair of spaced adjustably pre-set vertically extending lateral guides for guiding the stacks of sheets during their entire upward travel and having guide surfaces spaced apart as a whole so as to be incapable of passing a table therebetween, each table having oppositely disposed recesses on opposite sides thereof in which said guides are disposed, and said guides each having a pivotally mounted lower end portion movable temporarily from an operative extended position of longitudinalnlignment with an upper portion to a raised position at an angle relative to the guide upper portionthereby to allow sufiicient clearance for placement of the second table directly'below the table being raised so that sheets can be pre-stacked thereon while the stack on the table being raised is being exhausted and the second table is in a position'to be automatically engaged by the table carriers when lowered.

3. A reloading apparatus for sheet feeders comprising the combination of a plurality of like feed tables, a lifting and lowering mechanism comprising oppositely disposed table carriers for successively receiving and lifting the table individually each with a stack of sheets thereon, said mechanism including means to progressively raise the table carriers to continuously maintain the table in position for the top sheet of a stack of sheets there- 'on to be in a predetermined position for a sheet-taking device, said last mentioned means being operable to selectively lower the table carriers to reload the sheet feeding apparatus with a second table having a new stack of sheets after removal of an emptied table from the carriers upon exhausting the stack of sheets thereon, a pair of spaced adjustably pre-set vertically extending lateral guides for guiding the stacks of sheets during their entire upward travel and having guide surfaces spaced apart as -a whole so as to be incapable of passing a table therebetween, each table having oppositely disposed recesses on opposite sides thereof in which said guides are disposed, and said guides each having a telescopic lower end portion movable temporarily from an operative extended position to a retracted, raised position to allow the placement of the second table directly below the table being raised so that sheets can be prestacked thereon while the stack on the table being raised is being exhausted and the second table is in a position to be automatically engaged by the table carriers When lowered.

4. A reloading apparatus for sheet feeders comprising the combination of a plurality of like feed tables, a lifting and lowering mechanism comprising oppositely disposed table carriers for successively receiving and lifting the tables individually each with a stack of sheets thereon, said mechanism including means to progressively raise the table carriers to continuously maintain the table in position for the top sheet of a stack of sheets thereon to be in a predetermined position for a sheet-taking device, said last mentioned means being operable to selectively lower the table carriers to reload the sheet feeding apparatus with a second table having a new stack of sheets after removal of an emptied table from the carriers upon exhausting the stack of sheets thereon, a pair of spaced adjustably pre-set vertically extending lateral guides for guiding the stacks of sheets during their entire upward travel and havingguide surfaces spaced apart as a whole so as to be incapable of passing a table therebetween, each table having oppositely disposed recesses on opposite sides thereof in which said guides are disposed, and said guides each having a lower end portion movable temporarily from an operative position in which the lower end portion is extended in alignment with an upper portion to a raised position to allow sufficient clearance for placement of the second table directly below the table being raised so that sheets can be pre-stacked thereon while the stack on the table being raised is being exhausted and the second table is in a position to be automatically engaged by the table carriers when lowered, and means for selectively moving each of the lateral guides in a direction toward one another and for locking I Schramm June 26, 1956 Tebbs Apr. 22, 1958 

